Advanced Nurse Practitioners

Advanced nurse practitioners (ANPs) require highly developed and extensive knowledge in “diagnostics, therapeutics, the biological, social and epidemiological sciences and pharmacology, and their enhanced skills in areas such as consultation and clinical decision-making” (Duke, 2012, p.1027). As such, it is imperative that nurses assuming an advance practice role are equipped and capable of applying intricate logic, critical thinking, deliberation, and analysis in their work, evaluations, clinical analysis, and decisions (Duke, 2012). Moreover, the highly specialized clinical experience in combination with the MSN curricula affords undergraduate nurses with the knowledge, nursing theory, leadership, and management principles necessary to meet core competencies required for advance practice. Mandating studies at the Master’s level is not only necessary but is also crucial to the success of undergraduate nurses assuming roles in advance practice. Credentialing is a process that ensures standards established by a governmental or nongovernmental agency are met. Credentialing can either be mandatory or voluntary. Organizations, programs, and individuals seek credentialing as proof of their ability to meet the established standards. Schools must have approval from the state’s Board of Nursing to operate a program. An example of mandatory credentialing includes approval of pre-licensure schools or colleges of nursing by the state where they are located. Approval is granted when the program has met the requirements as set forth by rules and laws.
Accreditation is a voluntary process. Colleges and schools seek accreditation to validate that standards have been met as set forth by the accrediting bodies. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) are the two accrediting agencies in the United States for nursing education. Once a program has been accredited by one of the